Cross-Strait Relations with Taiwan

China considers Taiwan a province and an inalienable part of China, which has
been separated from China since 1949 when the Guomindang (Nationalist Party)
government of Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kei-shek) fled there in the face of defeat
by communist forces.

Taiwan still controls one island that appertains to the mainland—Jinmen
(Kinmen or Quemoy), which is part of Fujian Province. In Beijing matters dealing
with Taiwan are handled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee’s
Taiwan Work Office and the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office. Beijing
is adamantly opposed to independence or any quasi-state status for Taiwan and
has alternated since the late 1970s between overtures for peaceful reunification
and statements of resolution to forcefully reclaim Taiwan if necessary. Beijing
has called for resuming cross-strait negotiations, formally ending the state
of hostility that has persisted since 1949, and addressing cross-strait problems
through timely negotiations.

During the reform period, China and Taiwan began to allow economic and trade
exchanges, travel, tourism, and other activities. Several breakthroughs in relations
occurred in 2005. The first was the launch of two-way, round-trip, and nonstop
charter flights across the Taiwan Strait starting in February 2005. This development
was dampened by Taiwan’s reactions to legislation adopted by China’s
National People’s Congress (NPC) on March 14, 2005, “for the purpose
of opposing and checking Taiwan's secession from China by secessionists in the
name of "Taiwan independence.”

However, soon thereafter, further developments occurred that Beijing found
more favorable to Taiwan reunification. These occurred when the leaders of three
Taiwan political parties made separate trips to China between March and May
2005. First, Kuomintang Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kung led a delegation to China
to initiate talks on cross-strait economics and trade. Then the chairman of
the Kuomintang, Lien Chan, made a “journey of peace” visit and signed
a joint communiqué with CCP General Secretary Hu Jintao concerning the
promotion of cross-strait exchanges and cooperation. Finally, James Soong, chairman
of the People First Party, visited China. All three trips were strictly party-to-party
meetings. These visits to the mainland were followed by a delegation of the
New Party led by its chairman, Mok Mu-ming in July 2005.